Two men were sentenced to life in prison Thursday for killing a Bohemia homeowner after they mistakenly targeted his house while searching for a stolen cellphone, Suffolk County prosecutors said.
Christopher Fernandez, 29, of Sound Beach, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for the 2022 murder of 49-year-old Michael Hartmann.
His co-defendant, Oliver Schor, 24, of Miller Place, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
The shooting happened at approximately 6:36 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2022, at Hartmann’s home in Bohemia.
Prosecutors said Fernandez mistakenly believed a cellphone that had allegedly been stolen from him was transmitting its location from Hartmann’s residence.
Fernandez and Schor went to the house armed with guns and attempted to enter through a back door, according to evidence presented at Fernandez’s trial.
The two men encountered Hartmann outside the home. One of the defendants opened fire, shooting Hartmann multiple times before both men fled, prosecutors said.
Hartmann was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later determined that Fernandez and Schor had gone to the wrong location and that Hartmann was the victim of mistaken identity.
Shortly before the killing, Fernandez stole a ski mask, gloves and a hat from a gas station in Manorville, according to prosecutors.
A Suffolk County jury convicted Fernandez on March 6 of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminal use of a firearm and petit larceny.
Schor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on March 18 for his role in the killing.
Both defendants were sentenced Aug. 6 by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Hartmann was shot at his own home despite having done nothing wrong.
“While nothing can bring Michael Hartmann back or fill the void left for his wife and children by this devastating murder, the prison sentences handed down today for Christopher Fernandez and Oliver Schor ensures that both defendants are held fully accountable,” Tierney said.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kirsten Reilly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.
The investigation was conducted by Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad Detective Frankie Sierra.
Photo: SCDA
